‘INSINCERE’ | DOJ’s drug war review shows ‘no meaningful progress’ for victims, says group

November 3, 2021 , 02:21 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(November 3, 2021) – President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration is not sincere in ensuring justice for the victims of his ruthless drug war as the recent review of the Department of Justice (DOJ) proved to be insufficient in responding to calls for accountability, an international human rights organization said.

Amnesty International flagged the “woefully inadequate” matrix published by the DOJ two weeks ago. It also questioned the method of review because of the involvement of the Philippine National Police (PNP), whose members carried out the bloody policy over the last five years.

“Amnesty International remains concerned that the Philippine authorities, including DOJ’s current review, continue to show no meaningful progress toward ensuring access to justice and reparations for victims, nor provides a clear commitment to end its bloody crackdown on illicit drugs,” read the group’s statement.

On Tuesday, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) released a report on its independent investigation into Duterte’s brutal drug war. It found a pattern of excessive violence across the 579 cases reviewed in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon, confirming the concerns raised by civil society groups.

CHR said at least 87 individuals were shot in the head, chest, trunk, and abdomen, leading to their immediate death. It also revealed that out of 466 drug suspects accused of fighting back or “nanlaban,” only 11 survived. Witness accounts also contradicted the narratives of police officers.

“Denial of access to police documents has contributed to the dearth of information vital in identifying patterns and trends involving drug-related killings,” said the CHR. “The observable pattern from this class of killings is their brazen method, possibly encouraging repetitions of emboldened attacks.”

CHR’s report came two weeks after the DOJ released a matrix indicating some information about 52 drug war cases handed over by the PNP. The review confirmed the widespread impunity as most of the police officers involved were merely suspended or demoted. Only a select few were dismissed from service.

In addition, the report also provided little details about the incidents that occurred in Metro Manila and Bulacan, known as the hotspots of the killings. It also did not touch on the killings that happened during the COVID-19 crisis despite numerous reports of gruesome attacks.

The DOJ has forwarded the report to the National Bureau of Investigation for case buildup but it remains unclear when the charges will officially be filed, if any.

Amnesty International said the DOJ report was a mere token used to “shield the authorities from international justice.” The International Criminal Court will begin its probe into the merciless drug war but Duterte maintained his non-cooperation.

“The DOJ investigation must be exposed and denounced for what it is: An attempt by the government to divert attention from the thousands of killings and other crimes under international law,” said Amnesty International.

(PM)

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